Civic Engagement in the Digital Age
The well-educated and the well-off are more likely than others to participate in civic life online, just as those groups have always been more likely to be active in politics and community affairs offline.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
The well-educated and the well-off are more likely than others to participate in civic life online, just as those groups have always been more likely to be active in politics and community affairs offline.
55% of registered voters have watched political videos online this election season, and 52% have had others recommend political videos for them to watch online
10% of 2012 presidential campaign donors have contributed via text message or cell phone app.
54% of adults used the internet for political purposes in the 2010 election cycle, far surpassing the 2006 midterm contest.
More than a quarter of American adults – 26% – used their cell phones to learn about or participate in the 2010 mid-term election campaign.
The internet gives citizens new paths to government services and information.
Just as in offline politics, the well-off and well-educated are especially likely to participate in online activities that mirror offline forms of engagement. But there are hints that social media may alter this pattern.
Online activists and concerned citizens are using the internet to learn about the financial crisis, share their views on the proposed bailout, and organize their friends.
A record-breaking 46% of Americans have already used the internet for politics this election season and Barack Obama’s backers have an edge.
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